Pool game 1 vs QC Hitmen U8s. W, 20-3 in 4 innings. Playing in one of the QC’s largest events in terms of number of teams entered, the boys scored early and often against a scrappy and tough U8 team. Each of the 11 Redbird players either scored twice, had two hits, or knocked in two runs. Leading the surge was Aaron, Terrill, and Joey with three RBI apiece. Aaron took care of the mound duties, pitching a CG, giving up only one hit while striking out six and walking four.

Pool game 2 vs ZLB Plasma Services (Davenport, IA) W, 16-5 in 4 innings. In the second game of the day the Redbird offense continued to shine as the boys put up a half dozen runs to put ZLB in a deep hole. They continued to put pressure on a tough ZLB squad by plating another seven runs in the second to put the game away. Matt led the charge with 3 hits, 3 runs scored and three rbi. Terrill added three runs scored and 3 rbi as well. Drake and Aaron also chipped in 3 rbi. Tyler took two HBP for the team and scored three times. AC scorched a triple to lead off the game and Nick had two hits as well. The defense committed no errors and didn’t allow a runner to third base until the third inning. On the hill Drake and Hayden took care of business allowing only 6 hits while striking out four and walking four.

Pool game 3 vs Morton, IL. W, 18-0 in 3 innings. Day two of the tournament saw more of the same from the Redbirds. Scoring 11 runs in the first inning put the game of out of reach. Brady led the charge with two hits, four rbi, and two runs scored. The lead-off spot filled by AC and David produced three runs, three hits, and three rbi between them. Joey chipped in two rbi and two runs scored. Matt helped out by knocking in three with two base hits. Tyler, Hayden, and Drake also scored two runs apiece. On the mound Matt and Drake threw only 38 pitches on a combined 3 inning no-hitter. The pair struck out five and walked no one while allowing Morton to only get through their batting order once.

Pool game 4 vs Mahomet, IL. W, 26-2 in 3 innings. In a recurring theme the boys put the game out of reach in the first by posting a 7 spot. Aided by the opposing pitcher’s 17 walks the Redbirds batted around twice in the second inning. Hayden led the team with five rbi and three runs scored. Brady pushed across four with four hits and scored four times. Terrill, Aaron, and Tyler added three rbi apiece. Nick, David, and Joey scored six times as well. Given a big lead, Terrill and Tyler didn’t let the opposition get anything started. The pair allowed four hits, striking out four and walking none.

With the victory, the Redbirds completed Pool play, 4-0 and were awarded the number one seed and a first round bye for championship play.

Tournament Semi-final game vs Moline Blackhawks, W 5-2 in 6 innings. As has been a trademark of this group to date, the boys jumped ahead by scoring two in the second on a single by Brady, walk to Matt, an rbi groundout from Hayden and a passed ball. They continued to pressure a tough Moline squad by scoring three more in the third. After two were out, Aaron and Tyler were plunked. Brady then tripled them both home and then scored on a passed ball. On the mound Matt was able to get ten and ten down with the help of stellar defense. Hanging tough though, Moline plated two runs in the fourth after two were out with three consecutive singles. In five innings of work Matt gave up five hits, striking out five and walking none. That was all they were able to muster as Terrill shut the door in the sixth putting the Redbirds in the Championship game.

Tournament Championship game vs Cedar Rapids Cougars, L 4-2 in 6 innings. Although the start of the game was delayed for over an hour due to the threat of severe weather the boys came out fast and plated two runs in the first. Aaron and Tyler drew walks, Brady singled in Aaron and Matthew followed with an rbi groundout. But that was all the runs the boys would tally as the opposing pitcher struck out ten Redbirds and allowed only three hits and three walks in the complete game victory. Tyler and Terrill did an excellent job on the hill holding the tough hitting Cougars to four runs on four hits, striking out four and walking four. The boys had their chances, though. They had a runner on third with less than two out in the second, third, and fifth innings, but couldn’t get the clutch hit to drop.

Although a first place finish was not in the cards the boys showed why they are 27-5 after 32 games. Great job!!